Linear motors:

The fastest CNC machines on the market

Wear-free and highly dynamic

Direct drives such as linear motors and torque motors generate the desired movements directly, without mechanical transmission elements. The drives therefore operate wear-free and without mechanical backlash. The acceleration of linear motors is particularly important. In SW machining centers, they achieve acceleration values of up to 2g and rapid traverse speeds of 120 m/min. And this is with maximum precision. This dynamic translates into shorter cycle times and higher productivity.

Non-productive time down, productivity up

In aluminum machining processes, non-productive times are often longer than the pure machining or main times. The larger the workpieces are, the longer the distances the feed axes have to cover, for example during a tool change. The rule of thumb is: the more complex the machining and the larger the workpieces, the greater the proportion of non-productive time. A linear motor as a drive achieves a higher speed than a motor with rotor and stator, whose rotary motion must be mechanically converted linearly. Furthermore, due to its operating principle, a linear motor works wear-free in every application.

We know these relationships and have been relying on the use of the linear motor for many years. With the help of the higher dynamics and speed of linear motors for straight-line movements in combination with the weight-optimized design, we minimize these non-productive times in our CNC machining centers compared to axes with servo motors. Simply put, SW’s CNC machining centers with linear motors are the fastest in the world.

Precision without mechanics

A linear motor ensures high force and positioning accuracy, even at the highest machining speeds, with a guaranteed deviation combined from the X/Y/Z axis of less than 0.006 mm. With a Kv factor of 10 and a jerk of 1,200 m/s³, the linear motor is particularly suitable for high-precision micro movements. The production of impellers for turbochargers or of medical implants are outstanding examples of the high-precision manufacturing of complex geometries with highly dynamic linear motors.

SW CNC machining centers with linear drive technology produce highly efficient workpieces made of aluminum and titanium as well as a wide variety of alloys. These materials are being used more and more frequently in the automotive industry, both in the body and in the engine. The trend toward lightweight construction saves fuel in vehicles with internal combustion engines and increases the range of electric vehicles. Aerospace technology and medical technology also traditionally use components made of light metals.

CNC machining centers with linear motors reflect this trend in manufacturing technology for series production. Linear drives reduce unit costs through higher performance and speed, increase output and keep scrap extremely low.

In addition to linear motors, SW uses the advantages of another direct drive technology. Direct drive technology torque motors position the rotary axes for 4- and 5-axis machining backlash-free and with high precision. Since they directly generate the rotary movements with high torque without mechanics, they also operate wear-free. They are a perfect solution for your machining tasks and application.

In a rotary motor, the circular winding of the stator stimulates the rotor to rotate by current flow. This rotary motion is converted into a linear motion via a gearbox and a ball screw. In a linear motor, the stator is arranged “unwound” on a flat track. The rotor or armature moves linearly over this distance without contact. The required distance between stator and rotor is maintained by a linear guide or an air bearing. The linear motor has proven itself for many years as the perfect drive for light metal machining in SW’s machining centers.

Learn more about our machining centers and broad product portfolio, or contact our Technology People directly with any questions.